wilcox



H. WILCOX.

MOTOR URIVEN VEHICLE TRAIN. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 2l, 1918.

Patvntcd J uly 1, 1919.

G SHEE'ISW'SHE- l' l.

Patented Ju1y1, 1919. '6 sHEETssHEEr 2.

l H. WlLcox.

MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLE TRAIN.

APPLICATION FILEID OCT. 2|. 1918.

H. WLLCOX.

MOTOR DHIVEN VEHICLE TRAIN.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 2l. 1918.

Patented J uly 1, 1919.

LSOSl.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

m m nu H. WILCOX.

MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLE TRAIN.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. ZI. I9I8.

.Jm I im G I I I DI I I. NM Kv HIIEIIIWNe I!! II auf H. WILCOX.

MOTOR DHvvEN VEHICLE TRAIN.

'APPLICATEON IHED 001121, |918.

'Patented July l, 1919.

6 SHEETSMSHEEI 5` H. WILCOX.

MOTOR DRIVEN VEHICLE TRAIN.

APPLICATION FILED 001121. |915.

Pa'enw' July 1, 1919.

U SHkET-SHEET b,

` (lu/vento@ 50M/@wf WzZc-ar HOWARD WILoox, or WASHINGTON, DISTRICT orCOLUMBIA.

MoTQRfDnIVEN-VEHICLE TRAIN.

Specification of Iietters Patent.

Patented July l, 1919.

application inea ociober 21, 191s. sei-iai No. zsseee.

To all whom 'Zt may concern.' p

'lie it known that I, HoWAnn WILoox, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at the Bellevue Hotel, Washingtom District ofColumbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Motor-Driven-Vehicle Trains, of which the follow ing is .a specification,reference. being had therein to the accompanying drawin 0'.

The invention relates to motor driven vehicle trains and has for itsobject to provide a motor driven vehicle train comprising a series ofunits, said units being provided with engines vlocated on their ends andso constructed that power ina)v be imparted to adjacent vehicleunitsloeated forwardly or rearwardly of tliepropclling vehicle, or fromthe other vehicles units to the various units forming the train. Also toprovide a vehicle train so constructed as to obviate the neces' sity ofturning around, also to adapt the structure `of my front and rear drivenmeehanisin for motor vehicles, set forth in my application for patentfiled June 1st, 1918, serial number 237 ,7 3T to a motor driven train.

A further object istoJ eliminate the trail-4 ing of a. second vehiclewhich is common practice at the present time and provide a. motor drivenvehicle which will do its own ,tractoring when the wheels of the pullingvehicle are mired or spinning on ice or for any reason not tractoring.In this way the trailed vehicle will push the propellingvehicle out ofthe mire and the vehicle train as a whole will advance without delay.

A further object is to so construct the veliicle units so that theirdriving shafts and connecting shafts, between the vehicles, will besubstantially7 in .alinement.

A further object is to so construct the units of the motor vehicletrainfso that a forward and reverse mechanism will be interposed betweenthe driving shafts of each unit and the driving shaftl of each of theadjacent units.

A further object is to so construct the units of a motor driven vehicletrain so that the saine may he propelled by any oneot' the variousengines, of the units, or by all or aniT number of said engines.

Other objectswill appear and be better understood from the embodiment ofthe vinvention of which the following is a. specification referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, in whichFigure 1 is a side elevation of one of the units of the vehicle train.

Fig. 2 .is a top plan view of the saine.

lFig. 3 is an end view of one of the units.

Fig. -l is a. longitudinal sectional view on .line lof Fig. 2.

Fig 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the driving niechaiiisni and partof the engine.

Fig. G is a plan viewvof the adjacent ends of .two of )the units.

Fig. 7 .is a sectional view` through the adjacent ends of two of theunits. showing the connection between the saine. y

Fig. S is a sectional view through the adjacent mechanisms located onadjacent units.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on line QMS) of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the forward and reverse gears. i

Fig. 11 is a Isectional detail view of one of the flexible axles.

Fig. 1:2 is a detail sectional view showing conventional means forlocking :in v ot' the various steering mechanisms.

Fig.. 13 is a sectional view through the. brake and showing the brakeactuating meclianisin,

Referring to the drawings designates one lof the units of a motorvehicle train and B -a similar unit which niav be located eitherforwardly', rearwardly or at both ends of the unit A. The constructionvot each unit. oi' the train is the same; therefore only one unit willbe described in detail; however. the various numerals will appl)v tocorresponding parts of the 'arious units.

The numeral l designates a frame and si Cured to the frame on each sidethereof as at 2 are downwardly extending brackets 3. to which vthe endsof the springs l are atw taclied as atl 5. These springs 5 are in turnsecured to the axle easing G b v means of the U-bolts 7, therebyresilientlysupporting the frame from tlie axles of tli'e vehicles. Eachend of the frame is provided with an engine foundation 8, to which`engines 9 and l0 are secured atfll. The engines are disposed betweentlie axles of the vehicle and the ends thereof so that there will he afree space he tween the engines, thereby providing a vehicle free ofmechanism in its central poi'- tion 12 for the reception of any type ofhottoin dunip body. The engines S) and lo have lli) their cylinderportions 13 substantially adjacent a vertical center line of the axles,but forward of the same and their transmission ends .14 extending towardthe ends of the vehicle. From this it will be seen that the engines arein opposed or reversed positions to each other. Each engine 9 and 10 isprovided with the. usual clutch mechanism, not shown, but carried in thecasing 15 and controlled by means of the foot lever 16. Each engine isalso 'provided with a `transmission mechanism 1T which is mounted in thetransmission casings of the engines 9 and 10 and are under the controlof the operator by means of the levers i8. 'lhe type of engines to beused and the particular construction of the clutch mechanism andtransmission may he of any type or construction and may vary accordingto the size of vehicle desired. I

Both ends of the vehicle are alike and the mechanisn'i of the sameconstruction; therefore the, power transmission mechanism of one end ofthe vehicle will be described and the numerals will apply to themechanism located at the other end.

Secured to the transmission casing 15 of the engine b v means of thebolts 1S is a casing '19, which is provided with top and bottomremovable plates Q0 and .'21 bolted thereto so that the mechanismcontained in the easing`19 may be easily reached for repairing. cleaningor assembling.- The casing 19 is also provided with a face plate 22which is secured to the casing by means of the boltsl 23. The bottomplate 21 is provided with an opening 24, for draining the casing of oilwhen it is desired to remove the oil therefrom. The transmission drivingshaft 25, extends through the upper end of the casing and is supportedinanti-frictional bearings Q6 and 2T, which are. carried by the bearingcages QS. said antifrictional bearings being held in the cages 21s' and29 by means of the locked nuts 30 and 31. which retain theanti-frictional bearings in the bearing cages. The cage 29 is providedwith a packing gland 32, through which the reduced cranking end 33 ofthe shaft extends. The shaft 25 is provided with a series oflongitudinal slots 34, which receive/the lugs 35 of the bevel gear 3G.The sleeve portion 3T of the gear 3G is provided with a tapering opening3S. A split ta pering` sleeve 239- is forced into the tapering opening38 of the sleeve of the bevel gear. thereby preventing longitudinalmovement of the gear 36 on the shaft and is: prevented from longitudinalmovement on the shaft 25 by means of the locked nuts 40. Secured to the.transmission casing 14 by means of the bolts 4l. which pass throughapertures in the arms 4Q is a cylindrical easing 423. This easing isadditionally secured to the transmission casing by means of the bolts 44which thread into the transmission easing as atl 45. The cylindricalcasing is provided with flanges 4G and secured to the anges 46, of thecasing 43 by means of the bolts 47 are anti-.frictional bearing cages 48and 49, which are provided with anti-frictional bearings 50 and 51 whichare held in said cages as at 53. Mounted in the bearings 50 and 5l andsupported thereby is a vertical shaft having bevel gears and 5G. Thegear 5G is integral with the shaft 54, while the gear 55 is rigidlysecured to the end 57 of the shaft by means of the vertical slots 58,engage corresponding lugs on the sleeve portion 59 of the gear Lockingnuts G0 are threaded upon the sleeve 59; thereby preventing displacementof the antifrictional bearings 50 which engage the shoulder 61 of thegear Locking nuts (r2 are threaded upon the shaft 54 and engage thebearings 5.1, thereby preventing dis placement of the bearings fromengagement with the shonler 63 of the gear 56. From the above it will beseen, that the shaft 5l is supported in anti-frictional bearingsinsui-ing the best of ruiming condition and at the same time, reducingthe friction between the rotatable parts to a minimum. The teeth G-t ofthe gear 55 are in mesh with the teeth (i5 of the gear 3G, thereforewhen a revoluble movement is imparted to the transmission shaft :25. thcshaft. 54, will be caused to rotate. and also the gears 55 and 56 whichare rigidly secured thereto and therefore will rotate therewith.

Rotata'bly mounted in antifrictional bearings Gti and G7 located at thelower end of the casing 13 Iis a horizontal shaft (itl. The bearings G6and (i7 are carried by the bearing cages (i9, which are secured to the,easing 19 by means ofthe bolts T0. Locking nuts 71 and T2 are threadedupon the shaft and prevent displacement. of the anti-fric` tionalbearings in relation to the. shoulders 73 of the shaft 68. 'The portionof the shaft. GS designated by the numeral T-L is substantially' squarein 'ross section and slidably mounted upon the portion 74 is a sleeveT5, which is adapted to rotate with. but slidably move upon the section74 of the shaft G8. Keyed to the slidahle sleeve 75 oy means of theIkeys 7G are lbevel gears 7T and 7S. Gear 7'? is the forward gear whilegear 78 is the reverse gear. lVhen the teeth 79 of the forward gear 77are in mesh with the teeth 80, of the gear the vehicle will be propelledin the direction of the arrow n.. 'hile when the, teeth 8l of the gear78 are in mesh with the teeth 80 of the gear 5G the vehicle will bepropelled in the direction of the arrow b. Anti-frictional bearingplates S2 arel mounted upon the slidabte sleeves 75 and disposed betweenthe sleeves of the bevel gears T7 and TS. An anti-frictional bearingsleeve S3 is mounted upon the modales slidable sleeve and is providedwith lugs at' diametrically opposite sides thereof. Anti-frictionalbearings are disposed between the bearing plates 82 and the sidesof thesleeve 83 thereby reducing the frictionl when the gears are rotated andthe sleeve 83 remaining stationary.

A rock shaft 86 is transversely disposed and rockably mounted inbearings S7 at the lower end of the casing 19. This shaft is at rightangles to the shaft 68. Secured by means of the key 99 to the shaft 86is a sleeve 88, which is adapted to be rockedwith the shaft 86. Thissleeve 88 is provided with upstanding arms 89, having bifurcations 90,in which slidable blocks 91 are slidably mounted. These blocks 91 areprovided with apertures 92, which receive the lugs 84 at diametricallyopposite sides of the sleeve'83. Keyed as at 93 and additionally securedby means of the washer 94 and nut 95 is the forward and reverseoperating lever 96, this lever is provided with a handle 97 and handgrip 98. Slidably mounted in the handle 97 is a. detent pin 100. The arm101 of the hand grip 98 engages an aperture 102, in the pin 100 soy thatthe pin 100 can be oscillated by means of the grip 98. The detent pin100 is provided with an annular iange 103 and between this flange andthe shoulder 104 a coiled spring is disposed for normally maintainingthe nose 106 of the detent pin 100 in engagement with any of theapertures 107, 108 or 109 of the bracket 1-10. One end. of the shaft 68is provided with a spring actuated packing box 111 4and `also with abrake 112, which is actuated by means'of the lever 113, rodi 114 andbrake band 115. The other end of the shaft 68 is provided with a springactuated packing box 120 to prevent leann age of oil which may ll thecasing 19. One end of the driving shaft 121 is connected to the shaft 68by means of a universal joint 122, its other end being connected to thedifferential driving mechanism b means of the universal joint 123. Thedi erential driving mechanism and differential are of any constructionand are not shown, but they are carried in the casings 124 and 125. Theaxles are of the usual flexible type and are provided with universaljoints 127 and rotate the wheels 129 of the vehicle.y

The ends 08a of the shafts 68 are rotatably mounted in bearings 681 ofbrackets, said `ends 68aL 'of the shafts 68, at the ends of each unitare universally connected at 68"' to' each other, by means of theconnection rods 68d. v

It will be seen, that when the transmission shaft 25 `is rotated, theshaft 54 will also rotate as the bevel 'gears 56 and 55 are in mesh.'llhe gear 50 being integral with the shaft will also rotate, the speedof rotation being governed by the speed of the transmission mechanism.When it is desiredto move the vehicle in the direction of the arrow a,the lever 9G is moved so that the pin 100 will engage the aperture 109,thereby slidingI the i sleeve 74 and the gears 77 and 78. The teeth 79,of the gear 77 will mesh with the teeth 80 of the gears 50, therebyimparting revo' luble n'iovement to the shaft G8, which will revolve thedriving shaft 121, the differential driving mechanism and differential.which in turn will revolve the axle 20 and const quently the wheels 129.From the foregoing it will be seen that power will be transmitted to thewheels, and that said power will be under a variable control `ot' theoperator of the vehicle. W hen it is desired to run the vehicle in theopposite direction the level.'

in one direction the forward gear 77 is in engagement with the gear 56at the end in the direction in which the vehicle is going. while thereverse gear 78 is in engagement with the gear '56, at the other end otthe vehicle. For instance, while the engines are going Jfull speed, oneof the axles would be revolving full speed in forward gear, while theother would be revolving full speed in reverse gear.

It will be seen that power, from the engine, at either, or botli ends ofany ot' the units, maybe transmitted to the axles et 'adjacent unitsthrough the medium of the connecting rods 68d between the units, whichare universally connected to the ends of the shafts 68. It will also beseen that by means of the forward and reverse mechanisms at the adjacentends of the units, power from the engines of the adjacent units may betransmitted to the driving shafts 121, In other words, the vehiclet-rain may be propelled by power from one or all of the units. If fromone unit, it is obvious that the wheels of adjacent units will assist indriving the vehicle train as a whole.

The units may be connected together b'v means of any form of drawbar(not shown) and the steering' mechanism may be of any construction,however a conventional form of steering mechanism is shown at the. endsof each unit.

From the above, it will be seen, that the motor train may be run ineither direction without the necessity of turning the train around. 1twill also be seen that if any of the units become miredathe other unitswill either pull or push the same out of the mire. If the engines of anyof the units become disabled the vehicle train as a whole .will bepropelled by the undamaged englnes. Therefore a vehicle train isprovided, which Steering mechanism. A double steering mechanism isprovided.

one mechanism being located at each end of the vehicle, each mechanismbeing adapted to be operated by operators located at'each end of thevehicle. -Both steering mechanisms are of the saine construction, butare provided with means whereby when 1t is de.-.

sii-ed to use the vehicle as a two wheel steered vehicle instead of afour wheel one,- one of the mechanisms may be locked and the vehiclesteered from one end only.

The steering mechanisms comprise steering posts 130 which are rotatablymounted in bearings 131 and are provided with steering wheels 132.Secured to the lower ends of the steering posts are arms 133 andpivotally connected to the arms 133 as at 134 are links 135, which arein turn connected to the, arms 136 of the wheel turning knuckles 137.The wheel turning knuckles 137 are provided'witli arms 13S and pivotallysecured as at 139 to said arms are connecting rods 140 by means of whichthe wheels will be moved in unison when the steering wheels are turnedin one direction or the other.. `When it is desired to lock one of thesteeri' ing mechanisms a U-shaped bolt 141, having arms 142, may bepasse-d through the apertures 143 of a portion 144 of the frame. Fromthis it will be seen that the mechanism at. either end of the vehiclemay be locked, and also that both mechanisms may be used at the Sametimethereby providing a vehicle which can be steered with two or fourwheels.

The invention having been set forth what is claimed as new-'and usefulis 1. a motor driven vehicle train comprising a series of vehicles, eachvehicle having engines located at its ends, said enginesy drivingadjacent axles of the vehicle onwhich they are located and the axles ofvehicles located forwardly and rearwardly of said vehicle.

2. A motor driven vehicle train compris- `ing alined vehicles, one ofsaid vehicles having engines located at .its ends and adapted totansmitpower toward theffends of said vehicles, thence downwardly andtoward the center of the vehicle to its wheels and means wherebyl thevwheels at the adjacent lends of the next vehicles will be driven by themotors oni the adjacent. ends of the first inentioned vehicle.

A motor driven vehicle train comprising a series of vehicles. one ofsaid vehicles having engines located at its ends, said engines operatingvertical shafts, forward and i'everse mechanism adapted to be throwninto and out of engagement with gears on tho lower ends of said verticalshafts, said forward and reverse mechanisms when in operation rotatingshafts, one end of cach of said shafts being connected to driving shaftsand driving the axles of the vehicle, the other .ends of the shaftsbeing connected and adapted to rotate driving shafts leading to theaxles of the vehicles located forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle.

4. A motor driven vehicle train comprising alined vehicles, one of saidvehicles having an engine located at its end substantially -above theaxle, said engine transmitting power by a shaft toward the adjacent endof said vehicle and downwardly by a shaft, thence by a driving shaftinwardly to the axle of the-vehicle, a driving shaft connected to thefirst mentioned driving shaft and extending outwardly fioin the vehicleand operating the axle and wheels of the. adjacent alined vehicle. n

5. A motor driven vehicle train comprising alined vehicles, one of saidvehicles having lan engine located at its end, said engine operating avertical shaft, forward and reverse mechanism adapted to be thrown intoand out of engagement with a gear on the lower end of the verticalshaft, said forward 9 and reverse mechanism rotating a shaft, one end ofsaid shaft being connected to a driving shaft for driving the axle ofJche vehicle., the. other end of the shaft being c on nected to andadapted to rota-te a driving shaft leading to the axle or drivingmechanism of the other vehicle.

6. A motor driven vehicle train comprising alined vehicles, one of saidvehicles having'an engine located at its end, said engine operating avertical shaft, forward and. reverse mechanism adapted to be thrown intoand out of engagement with a gear on one end of the vertical shaft, saidforward and reverse mechanism rotating a shaft, one end of said shaftbeing connected to a driving shaft for driving the axle of the vehicle`the other end of the shaft being connected to and adapted to rotate adriving shaft leadingvto the differential or driving mechanism of'another vehicle. the driving shafts and reverso mechanism shaft beingin horizontal alinement with each other.

l'7. A motor driven vehicle train comprising alined vehicles, one ofsaid vehicles having an engine located at its end, said engine operatinga vertical shaft, forward and .reverse mechanism adapted to be throwninto and out of engagement with a gear on the lower end of the verticalshaft, said forward and reverse mechanism rotating a. shaft, one end ofsaid shaft being connected to a driving shaft for driving the axle ofthe vehicle` the other end of the shaft being connected to a drivingshaft leading to the driving mechanism of' another vehicle, the drivingshafts and reverse mechanism being substantially in horizontal alinementwith each other and brake mechanism carried by the forward and reverseshaft.

8. A motor driven vehicle train comprising alined vehicles, one of saidvehicles having an engine located at its end, said engine operating avvertical shaft Supported and rotatable in ant-i-frictional bearings,forward and reverse mechanism adapted tobethrown into and out ofengagement with a gear on the lower end of the vertical shaft, saidforward and reverse mechanism rotating a shaft supported by androtatable in anti-frictional bearings, one end of said shaft beingconnected to a driving shaft for driving the axle of the vehicle, theother end of the shaft being connected to a driving shaft leading to thewheel driving .mechanism of another vehicle, said shaft and forward andreverse mechanism being substantially in horizontal alinement with eachother and brake mechanism for braking the rotation of the forward andreverse shaft.

9. A mot-or driven vehicle train comprising a series of vehicles. one ofsaid vehicles having engines located substantially forwardlyand'rearwardly of its axles, means for transn'litting power toward itsends, thence downwardly, thence toward the center of the vehicle todrive the axles of the vehicle on which saidy engines are located andmeans whereby power from said engines will be imparted to drive thewheels of vehicles located forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle onwhich the engines are located.

10. A motor driven vehicle train comprising a series of vehicles, oneofsaid vehicles having eligines located substantially forwardly andrearwardly of its axles, means for transmitting power toward its ends.thence downwardly, thence toward the center of the vehicle driving the`axles of the vehicle on which the engines are located, and means forimparting power from said engines tothe axles of adjacent. vehicles.

11. A motor driven vehicle train comprising a series of motor drivenvehicles, cach vehicle being provided with engines for driving thewheels of the vehicle on which it is located and means whereby theengine of said vehicle will drive'the axle of the adjacent vehicle.

12. A motor driven vehicle train comprising a series' ofmot'or drivenvehicles. each ,vehicle having engines for driving the wheels thereof,means whereby said engines will drive the axles of adj acentvehicles andmeans whereby the engines on the adjacent vehicles may be thrown intodriving operation with the driving shaft thereof.

13. A motor:- driven vehicle train comprising a series of motor drivenvehicleaeach vehicle being provided'with engines at its 4and adapted totransmit power toward its ends, thence downwardly and toward the centerof the vehicle to its-axles, means for driving the axles of adjacentvehicles and means whereby power may be transmitted from the adjacentvehicles to the first mentioned vehicle.` i

15. A motor driven vehicle train compris-- ing a series of motor drivenvehicles, each vehicle having engines located at its ends. said enginesoperating vertical shafts. forward and reverse mechanisms adapted to bethrown into and ont of engagement with gears on the lower ends of saidvertical shafts, said forward and reverse mechanisms when in operationrotating shafts, one end of said shafts being connected to drivingshafts and driving the. axles of the vehicle, the other ends of theshafts being connected t0 and adapted to rotate driving shafts leadingto the axles of adjacent vehicles of the train and means whereby thepower from the engines of the adjacent vehicles may be imparted tothedriving shafts.'

16. A motor driven "chicle train coniprising alined motor drivenvehicles.l each vehicle having an engine located at its end` said engineoperating a vertical shaft, forward and reverse mechanisms adapted to hethrown into and ontl of engagement with a. gear on the lower end of thevertical shaft, one end of said shaft being connected to a driving shaftfor driving the axle of the vehicle. the other end of the .shaft beingconnected to the driving shaft of an adjacent vehicle and meanslwherebvthe power from the engine of the adjacent vehicle may be impartedto the driving shafts of either vchicle. i

17. A motor driven vehicle train comprising a series of vehicles. eachvehicle having engines located at its ends. said engines driv- -ingadjacent axles of the vehicle on which they are located and the axles ofvehicles located .forwardly and rearwardly of said vehiclc. steeringmechanisms at the endsl of the vehicles and means whereby either ot' thesteering mechanisms may he locked thereby permitting the. running of thevehicle train in either direct-ion without turn-` ing the same around.

18,. A motor driven vehicle train-compris- 'ing a series of motor drivenvehicles. cach vehicle having engines at its ends, driving means wherebysaid engines will drive the axles of the vehicle on which it is locatedand means whereby powerfroni the engines of Asaid vehicle maybe impartedto the axles of adjacent vehicles and vice versa.

19. A motor driven vehicle train comprising a. Series of vehicles, eachof said vehicles having an engine :it its end, said engines driving theaxle of the vehicle 0n which it is located`r drivingconnections betweensaid engines and means whereby power from the engines located on the,endsl of the vehicles may he transmitted to the axles of both vehiclesat the saine time 0r t0 either one as desired.

In testimony whereof l hereunl'o afiix my signature.

HOWARD WILCOX.

